Thanks Heather. I'm hoping it won't be too hard for my ds11 and dd9 to switch over. Laura

Thanks. It seems like there is some of this in MUS. Laura

You could climb your stairs in 10 min. increments 3x/day--that is a great workout, esp. if you build up to longer increments and go faster each time--try timing yourself. Those stretchy things are probably resistance bands and you could probably google search for exercises for them. For example you could step on the bottom of the band in the middle and do arm curls (lower your arms w/wrists out and then pull your wrists towards your biceps (front arm muscles). Work a little bit harder every day--you should start out doing resistance training 2x/week, then 3x/wk. You can start w/2 sets of 10-12 repetitions. You should do cardio at least 5x/week. They say you need to do 90 mins. of working out/day to see a substantial wt loss. Very few ppl actually do that amt, but if you cut your calories and work out several days you'll see a difference. Good luck. Laura

Wow, your rooms are so creative and enticing! Your dc are very lucky. Laura

We've been Saxon users w/MUS used as a supplement. After all the rave reviews of Singapore online and in LCC, I bought a few to check it out. Plus, I feel like my kids need a lot more word problem practice. I'm struggling w/the whole mental math approach. Both my kids and I are great at memorization. For me (and presumably them) it's much easier to memorize 9 + 5=14 rather than introducing an the extra step of 9+1=10+4=14. Why would we add that extra step? How does it pay off in the long run? Are there other aspects to this mental math approach that I'm missing? Thanks so much for your help. I'm trying to decide if I want to start down the Singapore path and invest more $$. Laura

I'm sorry, but I'm not really qualified to answer either, but I thought I'd tell you what I would do. First, I would approach them in person and act as if we were on the same team--wanting the best for your dd. Second, if this didn't work, than I would call your State Bd of Education. Third, I would get a lawyer involved. And I'll be praying for you and your family. Laura

We have 2500 sq ft for 5 ppl. Our finished basement is an extra 1200 sq ft. Although we do not utilize it properly, I would still like more space. I find it is easier to clean bigger houses because there are more places to put stuff. Of course, if we had less stuff.... Also, we rarely use our dining room for its intended purpose, but it does come in handy for other things. Laura

Caveat: I really do not know much about this, but I knew two women (slightly) who did medical transcribing at home. They seemed to make ok $$. Laura

Saxon was the first program we started with. Then I bought several of the others after reading so many reviews. After trying out MUS and LoF and looking over Singapore, we prefer Saxon. Actually ds prefers MUS and LoF b/c they're easier. DD9 loves Saxon. I've found it's the easiest for me to teach. Everything I need is right there. I love the spiral approach and the reference to previous lessons. My dd9 scored 99% on the WJIII b/c of Saxon and ds got a 91%. We did not use Saxon in the earlier grades. I am using MUS w/my dd5. Laura

I had two littles and had turned on the computer and saw a news flash as to what was happening. I turned on the TV b4 the second plane hit and just sat there glued the rest of the day. We had just moved from the No. VA and NYC area two years b4 (commuter marriage). My office tower overlooked the Pentagon and dh's subway stop was WTC. I can't remember how I kept the kids occupied that day so I could watch everything, but I remember at one point shutting the tv off thinking I couldn't bear to watch another minute of it. DH came home from work early and suggested we go fill up our tank and get food supplies. A lot of other ppl had the same idea. Laura

I wish I would have appreciated that at that age especially, less is more. Laura

I wanted to reinforce the idea that what you're going through is not unusual. My ds is 11 and does not have adhd. He can read something he's interested in w/o stopping. But in the middle of my explanation of a math problem, he will ask me something about Julius Caesar or what we're having for lunch or tell me a joke. It completely baffles me and I feel reassured by these posts that it's not uncommon. I have told him every night for 5 weeks to take his football uniform out of our bathroom after his shower. Tonight is the first night he actually did it w/o being reminded. I had to feel his forehead to make sure he was well ;). We battle sloppiness constantly. What I do have going for us is that he wants to be homeschooled--also not for the 'right' reasons--he hated all the homework from his private school. I use that quite a bit to my advantage. Also like the pp suggested, I reward him a lot w/field trips, etc when our weeks are going well. I just wanted to reassure you that many of us struggle w/the same issues. Moni, I also wanted to let you know how much I appreciated your long, thoughtful post. I'm saving it b/c it was one of the most practical explanations I've seen of how to actually apply many of the ideas I've read about. Thank you. Laura

No, not at all. And they're a small family and getting even smaller. It was only dh and his sister and she's getting divorced. It has made my life easier b/c we don't see each other. He takes the kids on visits, which is wonderful for me b/c I get the break. I'm sure it's a lot harder on his mother not to see the kids very often, but she was the cause of all this and I've tried several times to reconcile, but nada. Laura

Well I didn't even get started til I was 35. Was in school, grad school, law school then finally working. Met dh when I was 31. We started trying on our honeymoon and immediately got pregnant. I had mine at 35, 37, and 41, with 3 m/c in my 40s. I'd love one more, but I'm now 47 and my cut off was 45 in my mind. My grandmother had my aunt at 45 (same time her oldest was having a baby), so that was the drop dead date for me. Laur

We only did 6 weeks last year at the tail end of the session. My kids loved it, and I told them if we were going to continue w/CC it would have to be on their time b/c I have my own agenda for them. So we do it on Sunday nights b4 our CC get together. They have great memories and it seems to stick w/them. DD9 begs me to quiz her all the time. We also listen to the cd sometimes in the car. I don't push it w/my dd5. Laura

We're looking at a ping pong table or foose ball table for the whole family. A puppy?

I have virtually no memories. What I do remember usually revolves around a photograph. I guess I better get back to scrapbooking. My kids' memories so far seem great. I think if we keep talking about some of their memories it will cement them even more. Laura

I am skeptical about the study. For example, she discussed the hours kids spent in school. There was no mention of time to commute to school and lunch time. 6 hours/day? Most kids I know are on a bus from 5-10 hours/week. Plus, at least 45 mins. for lunch/recess. And that doesn't include latch key time. I am also surprised by the homework hours--esp. for high schoolers. I can't imagine that the # of hours for hs'ers was so low. Not our experience at all. I agree that there are too many kids who spend too much time on electronic entertainment--that doesn't necessarily mean they should have less free time, but that someone should show them how to spend their free time. I agree w/the previous poster that my kids become their most creative when they have nothing in front of them to do. As they get older, they will continue to find ways to entertain themselves w/o a tv or computer. Laura

I, too, feel the same way. I have three and had my last at 41 and after that 2 miscarriages. I am now 47 and know I won't be having any more and it makes me sad. It does get better as the kids get older b/c I feel like we're at a different stage than when I was surrounded by baby stuff. I read an interview w/Princess Fergie once and she commented that she thought all women felt like they had one more baby in them, which is exactly how I feel. I would be so happy to have 4 kids--it's the perfect family in my mind. I do have friends that know they are done (some of these have many kids, others only 2). I don't think I will ever get over the feeling completely, but it has gotten easier. Laura

We use it as a summer supplement. It's like math lite. Laura

Would my microwave count? Oh, I am such a failure. I have most of the honorable mentions discussed here, but never use them. I just relegated my KA mixer and Cuisenaire processor (both gifts) to the basement. Maybe if I named her, I'd use her more. What exactly are all of you making? Laura

Hornblower, I may be a bit slow on the uptake. If I give my dogs rib bones (cow or pig) once a month, they should should be good on the teeth issue? Last I heard they shouldn't get people food or they'll always be cruising for food. I'm new to the whole puppy thing (it's been 20+ years when I last had one) and am shocked by the costs so far. I can't imagine a $600 teeth cleaning bill. Thanks,

I started my ds5th and dd3d last year in Aesop and moved quickly. They both enjoyed it and I came up w/'enrichment' projects to make it more challenging if they needed it. Laura

We just got two pups from the shelter (I only went in for one) 2 weeks ago and have waited 7 years since my last dog. They're so much work. Be prepared. Ours are some sort of terrier mix and they're not supposed to shed. I'm wary after reading the pp. Our last was a beagle mix and I think you're right about moving away from that. Labs are the best for kids--will take any abuse-you'll need to be careful w/your little one. I'd love a labradoodle, but will only get one from a shelter. And I agree w/the pp said be careful in getting a shelter dog, altho they do have a return policy. Laura

BTDT. I can only tell you it does get easier. Is there a room you can put it all in and close the door? I finally moved everything to the basement and it's out of sight out of mind for the most part. Laura